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"Inequality is out of control in NY, and workers want to ensure that new healthcare jobs in outpatient facilities are good union jobs so caregivers and communities have quality healthcare, economic security and opportunity," says George Gresham, President of 1199 SEIU

We take this decision very seriously. But we have been negotiating with management for five months, they do not have a single proposal on the table, and they are severely threatening the quality of healthcare and jobs for New Yorkers.

New York, NY (PRWEB)July 15, 2014

The following statement from George Gresham, President of 1199 SEIU Healthcare Workers East, is for immediate release.

“Inequality is out of control in our country, especially in New York, and it is becoming harder and harder for working people to stay here, find good jobs, and make ends meet. At the same time, the healthcare industry is transforming, and one third of all healthcare delivery is shifting from hospitals to outpatient facilities over the next few years. These are the jobs of the future, and we need them to be good jobs so caregivers can provide quality care to our patients and decent lives for our families. But employers like Mount Sinai and North Shore LIJ have been opening outpatient facilities with substandard, non-union jobs which drag down wages, health benefits and standards for workers. New Yorkers don’t need more dead-end jobs. The five largest health systems had over $21 billion in revenue last year and executive compensation has been skyrocketing, they can afford to provide good, middle-class union jobs at outpatient facilities.

“As nurses and healthcare workers, we never want to strike and we take this decision very seriously. But we have been negotiating with management for five months, they do not have a single proposal on the table, and they are severely threatening the quality of healthcare and jobs for New Yorkers. We are negotiating in good faith to try to reach a fair contract before the expiration date of July 30th. In order to send a clear message to management, over 70,000 members who are covered by the master contract are in the process of voting for a one-day strike which would take place on July 31st. Preliminary results show that members are voting for the strike by over 90%. We will be giving management more than the legally required 10 day strike notice so they can make necessary preparations. We will do whatever it takes to ensure quality healthcare, economic security, and opportunity for caregivers and our communities.” – George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East.

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1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East is the largest and fastest-growing healthcare union in New York and the nation. We represent over 250,000 healthcare workers in New York State, and over 400,000 total members throughout the East Coast.